The sun and sky combined their power

To bedazzle my poor human mind

To make me see as in mirage

That which was not there

She stood there naked on that beach

Facing toward the sea

Is she Venus, born of sea froth

Returning to her watery home

Venus who did bring to man

All knowledge of the loving arts

But who, in so doing

Imparted not the virtue of those acts

Oh, poor Venus, she did never understand

What love can do to both gods and men

Lead both to disaster and to sin

If gods can fall, oh what of puny men

But is this really Venus 

I see upon that beach

I am in great fear I am mistaken

No, this woman is of human flesh

And now she walks into the sea

And I cry out, waste not your life

Venus is a cruel mirage, you are not

You will find love in life, not in death eternal